ABSCISSION IN SCHEFFLERA

Cell separation during abscission is accompanied by the growth of “target cells” (Osborne, 1989) in predetermined zones. The compound leaf of Schefflera includes three sets of abscission zones: at the base of the blade of each of the seven to nine leaflets, at the base of each of the leaflet petioles, and a zone at the node. Cell separation time in all of these zones can be altered by treatments with growth regulators. These treatments may affect the processes of target cell growth and proliferation differently from their effects on tissue separation (Brown, 1997).